Shoe Lace Apparatus and Locking Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Shoe Laces and locking apparatus for locking a lace section a desired location with a knot in the lace, the apparatus including a restorably deflectable opening for holding a lace section or portion at a desired location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to application Ser. No. 61/484,223, Attorney Docket CE001US, entitled “Shoe Lace Apparatus and Locking Mechanism”, and filed on May 10, 2011 and co-pending application Ser. No. 13/469,082, Attorney Docket CE001US1, entitled “Shoe Lace Apparatus and Locking Mechanism”, and filed on May 10, 2012, which are both incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to shoe lacings and in particular systems and apparatus for locking the laces.

2. Description of Related Art

It may be desirable to lock shoe laces, the present invention provides apparatus for locking laces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace locking apparatus partially deflected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a simplified diagram of another elastic lace system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram of a lace being inserted into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a simplified diagram of a lace locked into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a simplified diagram of a lace stretched for movement in the lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified partial isometric diagram of lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a shoe in which the present invention may be employed;

FIG. 6A is a simplified partial diagram of a lace in a shoe locked into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a simplified partial diagram of a lace locked into a lace locking apparatus, the lace locking apparatus embedded in a shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is another simplified partial diagram of a lace in a shoe locked into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace locking apparatus with inserted lace in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a simplified partial diagram of lace locking apparatus opening with inserted lace in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace locking apparatus with inserted lace in an open or released mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace locking apparatus with inserted lace in a closed or locked mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace locking apparatus with deflectable tabs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a simplified rear diagram of the lace locking apparatus shown in FIG. 9A with deflectable tabs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a simplified rear diagram of another lace locking apparatus with deflectable tabs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace architecture including a lace system fixably coupled to the lace locking apparatus shown in FIG. 9A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this description, embodiments and variations are described for the purpose of illustrating uses and implementations of the invention. The illustrative description should be understood as presenting examples of the invention, rather than as limiting the scope of the invention.

In a product having one or more adjustable laces it may be desirable to be able to releasably lock the position of one or more ends or sections of the lace without using a knot or knots in the lace. In shoes, a lace may be threaded through several eyelets and then adjusted to a desired tension for a wearer. To maintain the desired or selection tension, one or more sections of the lace may be desirable fixed in position relative to an eyelet. Further, the lace may desirably include one or more elastic sections where the lace length may be restorably expanded. A lace with one or more elastic sections may enable the product incorporating the lace to be employed without locking or unlocked one or more lace sections relative to the product. For example, a user may be able to remove a shoe or put on a shoe without releasing a section of the lace while having a desired tension formed by the lace (between one or more threaded eyelets in an embodiment).

FIG. 1A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace locking apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 1B is a simplified partial isometric diagram of the lace locking apparatus 10 partially deflected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The locking apparatus 10 may be any shape having a diameter or area greater than the eyelets 54 of shoe 50 (FIG. 5) where the locking apparatus 10, 40A-40H, may be employed (FIG. 6A) or embedded in a product 50 including an adjustable length lace (a shoe 50 shoulder 52 in an embodiment FIG. 5). The locking apparatus 10 may include a slit 14 coupled to an opening 12. The opening may be any shape including circular where the opening area 12 is larger than the width of a lace 22A in a stretched or elongated shape (small diameter 22C) (FIG. 3C) and small enough to securely engage one or more laces 22A, lace ends, or a loop of a lace 22A in a restored shape (larger diameter 22B shown in FIG. 3B). The locking apparatus may be comprised of any flexible or semi-flexible material including synthetic and natural polymers, metals, or alloys. The polymers may include polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) a polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other restorably deformable materials. The opening 12 may include barbs or teeth 13D of opening 12D of FIGS. 7A to 8B to further hold laces 22A securely. In an embodiment a lace material 22A may include elastic and inelastic components and may have various modulus of elasticity.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified diagrams of lace systems 20A, 20B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The lace systems 20A, 20B may include a lace 22A, 22B and aglets or bars 24A, 24B, 26A, and 26B. The lace 22A, 22B material may include elastic and inelastic components and may have various modulus of elasticity. The lace systems 20A, 20B shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B may include perpendicular aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A on one or more ends of a lace 22A, 22B. The aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A may be sized to be smaller than the diameter of a shoe 50 eyelets 54 in an embodiment. An aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A may be comprised of inflexible, flexible or semi-flexible material including plastic, metals, or alloys. As shown in FIG. 2B, the lace system 20B may include parallel aglets 24B, 26B on one or more ends.

FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram of a lace insertion process for inserting a lace 20B into a lace locking apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment 30 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a lace 22A may be stretched or elongated to extend a desired length into or through the opening 12 and then released to expand and lock into the opening 12. FIG. 3B is a simplified diagram of a lace 22A locked into a lace locking apparatus 10 opening 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a simplified diagram of a lace 22A stretched or elongated for movement in the lace locking apparatus 10 opening 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as discussed above. FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified partial isometric diagrams of a lace locking apparatus 40A, 40B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The locking apparatus 40A may have multiple openings 12A, 12B for multiple laces sections 22A, 22B or lace ends. The locking apparatus 40B may have multiple openings 12A, 12B, 12C for multiple lace sections or ends. It is noted in an embodiment that the locking apparatus 10, 40A, 40B, 40D may optionally include restorably deflectable slits 14 (FIG. 1A), 14D (FIG. 7A). The slit 14, 14D may enable one or more ends or sections of a lace 22A, 22B to be passed into an apparatus 10, 30, 40A, 40B, 40D opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. The slit 14D may also include teeth 15D where the teeth may engage edges of a lace 22A, 22B when inserted in an opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and aid retention of the lace sections within the locking apparatus 10, 40A, 40B, 40D.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a shoe 50 in which the present invention may be employed. The shoe 50 may include a toe 58, shoulders 52, tongue 56, vamp 57, and a plurality of eyelets 54. The shoe 50 may be any type of shoe including dress and athletic that includes two or more eyelets. FIG. 6A is a simplified partial diagram of a lace 20B passed a shoe 50 eyelet 54 and locked into a lace locking apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment 60A of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A the locking apparatus 10 may be located inside the shoe 50 and adjacent to an eyelet 54. FIG. 6B is a simplified partial diagram of a lace 20B locked into an embedded lace locking apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 may be embedded in a shoe 50 shoulder 52 adjacent an eyelet in accordance with an embodiment 60B of the present invention. The shoulder 52 material may be flexible enough to enable the locking apparatus 10 to be flexed so one or more laces 20B may be inserted into an opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E of the apparatus 10, 40A, 40B, 40D, 40E (FIGS. 8A-8B).

FIGS. 8A-8B are simplified partial isometric diagram of lace locking apparatus 40E with inserted lace in an open or released mode (FIG. 8A) or a locked or closed mode or configuration (FIG. 8B) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B the apparatus 40E may include an opening 12E with one or more retractable teeth 13E. In the apparatus 40E a teeth release mechanism 18E may be restorably depressed as shown in FIG. 8A to cause one or more teeth 13E of the opening 12E to retract. The teeth 13E may retract to create an opening large enough for an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A. Upon release of the teeth release mechanism 18E, the teeth 13E may collapse towards the apparatus 40E center. A spring mechanism (not shown) may provide a restoring force to the retractable teeth 13E. As shown in FIGS. 7A, 8A, and 8B the apparatus 40D, 40E may also a recess 16D, 16E sized to receive and compressably hold an an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A therein. The recess 16D, 16E may enable a user to increase a lace an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A therein to prevent an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A from resting against a user's foot or ankle. It is further noted that the teeth 13D, 13E of the openings 12D, 12E may be angled so that enable a lace to extend or pass in a first direction but engage or limit the movement of the lace in second opposite direction.

FIG. 9A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of another lace locking apparatus 40G with deflectable tabs 12F, 12G in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a simplified rear diagram of the lace locking apparatus 40G shown in FIG. 9A with deflectable tabs 12F, 12G in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lace locking apparatus 40G may include a substantially planar front or first surface 15A and a substantially planar rear or second surface 15B separated by a substantially uniform thickness or edge 15C. As also shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lace section locking apparatus 40G may include one or more restorably deflectable tabs 12F, 12G formed from arc shaped slits 13F, 13G extending between the front and rear surfaces 15A, 15C in the apparatus 40G. The tabs 12F, 12G may be have various shapes including arcuate, polygonal, and other. As shown in FIG. 9C, an apparatus 40H may include tabs 12H, 12I including one or teeth 15D formed by slits 13H, 13I extending between the front and rear sections 15A, 15B of the apparatus 40H.

Similar to apparatus 40A-40F, the apparatus 40G front and rear planar surfaces 15A, 15B may form various shapes (at their envelope or edge 15C) including a polygon, circular, or semi-circular. As noted, the separation between the front surface 15A and rear surface 15B may be substantially uniform and form the edge 15C. In an embodiment, the apparatus 40G may be disc-like in shape. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace architecture 70 including a lace system 20C fixably coupled to the lace locking apparatus 15A shown in FIG. 9A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is a simplified partial diagram of the lace architecture 70 employed in a shoe 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lace system 20C may include a lace section 22B with an aglet 24B at one end and a t-shaped bar 26A at an opposite end of its longitudinal length. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 6C, in a method of an embodiment a first end 24B of a lace system 20C may be inserted through a first deflectable tab 12F from a first side 15A or 15B to a second side 15B or 15A. A desired segment of the lace 22B may be pulled through the slit 13F. The lace 22B thickness and apparatus tab 12F material thickness may prevent the lace segment 22B from being in an opposite direction without further deflecting the tab 12F to enlarge opening formed by the tab 12F and slit 13F. Then the first end 24B of a lace system 20C may be inserted through a second deflectable tab 12G from a second side 15B or 15A to a first side 15A or 15B (opposite the direction of lace end through the first tab 12F). A desired segment of the lace 22B may also be pulled through the slit 13G.

The combination of the slits 13F, 13G and tabs 12F, 12G may securely hold the lace system 20C at a desired position of the lace body or segment 22B. This segment may be the length that securely holds or may hold a user's foot in a shoe 50. As shown in FIG. 6C. The end section 24B and a portion of the lace body 22B may be cut at location 22C to reduce the presence of extra material in shoe 50 segment 52 and customize the lace system 20C for a particular application, user, or shoe 50.

In an embodiment an apparatus 10, 30, 40A-40H may have about a 0.5 to 1.5 inch diameter and about 0.1 to 0.5 inch thickness (from front to back side). An opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E may be any shape and may have an envelope from about 0.1 to 0.4 inches in diameter. In an embodiment, the apparatus 10, 30, 40A-40H may be formed primarily of PET or BoPET. While this invention has been described in terms of a best mode for achieving the objectives of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lace system locking apparatus for a lace having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal length between the ends and a substantially uniform width along its length, the apparatus including: a substantially planar front surface; a substantially planar rear surface; and a first restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and rear surface formed by a first slit extending between the front surface and the rear surface along a portion of the planar surfaces wherein the first slit and the first tab are sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an opposite direction.
 2. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a restorably flexible material.
 3. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a substantially disc-like configuration.
 4. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first deflectable tab includes a plurality of teeth along its edge.
 5. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a monolith.
 6. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein apparatus consists of BoPET.
 7. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, further including a second restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and rear surface formed by a second slit extending between the front surface and the rear surface along a portion of the planar surfaces, the second slit and the second tab sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an opposite direction.
 8. A lace system locking system, including: a lace including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length between the ends with a substantially uniform width along its length; and a lace locking apparatus, the apparatus including: a substantially planar front surface; a substantially planar rear surface; and a first restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and rear surface formed by a first slit extending between the front surface and the rear surface along a portion of the planar surfaces wherein the first slit and the first tab are sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an opposite direction.
 9. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace locking apparatus is comprised of a restorably flexible material.
 10. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace locking apparatus has a substantially disc-like configuration.
 11. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the first deflectable tab includes a plurality of teeth along its edge.
 12. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace locking apparatus is a monolith.
 13. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein lace locking apparatus consists of BoPET.
 14. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, the lace locking apparatus further including a second restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and rear surface formed by a second slit extending between the front surface and the rear surface along a portion of the planar surfaces, the second slit and the second tab sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an opposite direction.
 15. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 8, the lace including one or more elastic sections along its longitudinal length.
 16. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 4, the lace including an aglet at a first end and a t-shaped bar at a second end.
 17. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 8, the lace elastic along the majority of its longitudinal length. 